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Monday, 25 February 2013

Some Thoughts On... the Lord Rennard allegations

It's
quite some time to be a Lib Dem: the ongoing Huhne/Pryce court case, the
resultant Eastleigh by-election and, now, the allegations against Lord Rennard
and the party*.

Last
Friday, I was delighted to be able to get out delivering for Mike Thornton in
Eastleigh: as a new(ish) activist it was my first taste of by-election
campaigning - I only wish I had been in a position to go for longer. It has
been a campaign that seems to have really galvanised the activists within the
party. Record numbers have, reportedly, been flocking to Eastleigh to campaign
and record donations made and the enthusiasm seems to have been matched by a
high quality, efficient campaign organisation.

Morale
has been high in defiance - as we so often are - of the prevailing media mood
music and, in this case, the reason for the poll. Lib Dems are nothing if not
stoical, independently minded and damned if they're going to dance to someone
else's tune. Yes, we may be engaged in a pas
de deux with the Tories - but we know that they are not picking all
the music themselves.

On
Thursday night, though, Channel 4 News broke a story which has great potential
to not only damage morale but seriously damage the party - both centrally and
throughout the country. Lord Rennard, it is alleged, sexually harassed a number
of woman and, when concerns were raised sought to cover them up. Lord Rennard
subsequently resigned as Chief Executive on health grounds.

Much
has been said and written and many of these points will have been made
elsewhere. Here, though, are some of my thoughts on the matter.

1.
Nothing has been proved

As
with any occasion in which one is dealing with allegations, and where they are
being denied, we should remember that central tenet of our legal system:
innocent until proven guilty. Even where the matter is extra-judicial, we
shouldn't jump to conclusions...

2.
Nothing has been disproved

...which
is not to say that should dismiss the claims now being made. Sexual harassment
- and unwanted bodily contact - cannot be condoned. Repeated harassment cannot
be excused.

3.
"We are not dealing with Savile here"

Despite
the number of sexual scandals competing for media attention, this is not a game
of Top Trumps. Suggesting as much belittles the complainants, trivialises their
complaints and gives succour to those who think that this is about "just
touching a woman's knee" as if that were acceptable behaviour.

Note:
I have not, at time of writing heard the World at One interview with Jasper
Gerrard. If his comments are as reported, I would hope he is de-selected as a
PPC.

4.
I detest this being used as a political football...

The
fact that our opponents can seek to make political capital out of the issue -
as many are seeking to do - is symptomatic of a society that struggles to take
these issues seriously. There are those who would do well to remember that
"there but for the grace of God, go I [or my party]...". When they
do, we should seek to rise above the game that some now wish to play.

Perhaps
I'm being naïve.

5.
We should not question the timing of the allegations - and certainly not in
public

Some
have suggested that the report has been timed to disrupt our campaigning in the
Eastleigh by election - other's that this is part of an elaborate campaign to
unseat Clegg.

Whatever,
even if you do believe there is an ulterior motive, what is gained from airing
it publicly? Suggesting that the complainants are players - or pawns - in a
wider political game is cheap, and belittling; and plays into the hands of our
opponants.

Besides,
there would never be a "good" time for such allegations; suggesting
that the timing is fishy is playing politics with peoples’ lives. Which brings
me on to my next point...

6.
Not everything should be seen through the prism of politics...

The
more involved in politics you are, the more refracted your world view becomes.
Seeking the most favourable angle and best spin in everything becomes second
nature. When something like this happens, those at the top need to step out of
that mindset and take a fresh look. Not at how to present this for the best in
the short-term but how best to deal with it for the long-term.

If
the allegations of a cover-up are true, this should have been done a long time
ago. It certainly needs done now. Those involved - on both sides - deserve for
natural justice to be openly served.

7.
...there are belated signs of the party getting this

Last night's
statement by Nick
Clegg was strong. Whilst I agree it did raise additional questions -
specifically what is meant by "indirect and non-specific concerns"
and how such concerns were deemed serious enough to be put to (then) Chris
Rennard but don't appear to have been followed up further - it goes some way to
recognising that real action is needed rather than the somewhat anaemic
statement originally
made. That statement should been made on Thursday.

Humans
fail. Institutions fail. But they can also learn from failure - we must make
sure that the party does. What matters now is that we get to a) the bottom of
the specific allegations made - both of harassment and of inaction/cover-up and
b) policies are fully revised to ensure that there is a recognised procedure
for reporting any future abuse of power, position through sexual (or any form)
of harassment and abuse.

8.
An independent inquiry is required

I
understand that the inquiry chair is to be Alistair Webster whom I understand
is a former chair of the Lib Dem Lawyers association. Taken at face value, one
could question his independence, but without further knowledge I'm going to
reserve judgement.

9.
We can get through this

It's
going to be stormy and it's going to be unpleasant.

But
the party needs to face it's failings and effect real change.

It
owes Lord Rennard and the various complainants a fair hearing.

It
owes any other woman with grievances a chance to air them.

It
owes the public the knowledge that the Liberal Democrats have the courage to
examine ourselves and ensure our own house is in order when we're pronouncing
on issues of equality, discrimination, harassment and abuse.

And
it owes it to all those who have worked for the party as activists, supported
the party in deliveries or financially and voted for the party in elections. In
Eastleigh, we have a cause worth fighting for, morale is high and enthusiasm
levels are through the roof. Hundreds and thousands of volunteers and activists
fighting for their party, proud to be Liberal Democrats, happy to represent the
party at Westminster, the party as an institution. Happy for that party to
represent them.

If
the party fails to satisfactorily address the recent allegations, it will have
failed these people - as well as those directly concerned.

Andrew

*I've
tried to use the phrase "the party" to refer to the party
organisation and leadership, and "we" and "us" where I
intend a wider meaning in terms of the membership.